Antagonized Bachelorette Enjoying a Simple Life - Chapter 39
No matter what the female knight said, it seemed Demian wasn't listening at all. He kept rolling his shoulders, scanning the surroundings as if searching for Catherine.
Has she always shut Demian up like this? To keep things from escalating?
Why wasn't he saying a word about the mockery from his fellow knights? Demian just stood there quietly, as if it were routine. It was frustrating. Good thing she'd gotten Chezare's permission to come. Catherine strode forward and planted herself in front of Demian—facing the female knight, that is.
"……Who might you be, miss?"
The woman's face said Where'd this fly come from? Catherine ignored her and asked Demian instead.
"What's this woman about, Demian?"
"When did you get here, miss? It's wrapping up, so let's grab something to eat……."
"Answer the damn question."
Demian hesitated, scratching his neck. Now that she noticed, he had a habit of doing that when embarrassed.
"She's Knight Haliyana. My direct senior in the Imperial First Knight Order."
"Nice to meet you, Haliyana. I'm Demian's new master."
When Catherine offered a handshake, Haliyana took it with a baffled look. She pulled away immediately and eyed Demian suspiciously.
"Sir Demian, I thought you were due back in two months? Am I mistaken?"
Catherine cut in before he could respond.
"Temporary master. And I'm furious at that straw-head over there."
She pointed at the fallen knight. Haliyana clearly found her a nuisance but, true to her Imperial Knight status, masked it with smooth courtesy.
"I don't know the details, but for formal complaints, please direct them to the Imperial Knight Order's office……."
"I'm Chezare the Grand Duke's one and only disciple."
"……Pardon?"
Of course, Catherine had no intention of letting them off easy.
"And that straw-head told me to buy Demian's body. As Chezare's disciple, I can't tolerate the insult."
It wasn't wrong—he'd said to buy Demian's body since she was looking at him. Haliyana glared at the straw-haired knight, sighing deeply as her hand drifted to her waist.
"Hah. Foreigner, so words don't get through. Where do I even start…… Miss, His Grace the Grand Duke doesn't take disciples."
True enough.
"He is……."
If she stayed quiet, Haliyana would launch into a lecture on how great and amazing Chezare was. That wasn't why Catherine had come with his permission. Before the woman could ramble on, she pulled out the royal pendant from around her neck.
"Behold this grand and beautiful pendant of mine. A gift from Chezare himself."
She wouldn't claim it's fake, would she? A royal knight not recognizing a royal pendant?
Silence fell. Haliyana blinked blankly before slowly closing the distance. Her expressions cycled wildly: utter disbelief, then doubt, and finally…….
Thwack!
No time to note the final one. Haliyana spun and slammed her fist into the straw-haired knight's gut with Demian-level ferocity.
"Guh!"
The knight rolled on the ground. Haliyana dusted off her uniform and bowed to Catherine.
"My apologies, miss. It's my failing for not disciplining him properly. Please, punish me as you see fit."
No need to go that far. After seeing the thug-like straw-head, facing a real knight felt different. Maybe Catherine's expression soured. Haliyana bellowed at the straw-head like thunder.
"Sir! On your knees—now!"
The straw-head scrambled over, knelt beside her, and bowed.
"S-sorry!"
"Louder!"
"I'm sorry!"
The apology was fine, but…….
Isn't he shouting too loud?
The murmuring crowd made her start feeling awkward.
"Whoa…… Could I borrow that pendant sometime?"
But if she didn't scare them properly now, who knew when that cheap tongue would wag again. Catherine shoved aside the gawking Demian.
"I'll report this to Chezare. And ensure he gets fitting punishment for insulting me!"
At Chezare's name, even the dignified Haliyana's composure crumbled.
"Please…… anything but that……."
Chezare was clearly a terror among knights. Catherine patted Demian's shoulder and declared to them.
"Demian is my servant. Got it, Demian? If anyone mistreats you from now on, tell me everything. I'll tattle to Chezare!"
Treated like a servant and loving it, Demian grinned.
"Yes!"
"Hmph. Let's go."
Before he could cling like a limpet, she hurried off the platform and down the stairs. As music and sea breeze faded, calm returned. Demian buzzed with excitement all the way to the cabin.
"I think she likes me."
Catherine caught his drift instantly.
"The royal pendant?"
"Y-yeah…… No, the miss with the royal pendant."
"Not interested, so stow it."
But Demian showed no sign of reining in his glee. It was for his sake, yet seeing him so thrilled up close was a bit embarrassing.
"With you around, miss, even the captain doesn't scare me."
"You should be scared of him, Demian."
"Can't sleep tonight from the thrill. For real."
"Not curious, so shut it."
Even after a messy split with his comrades, Demian seemed carefree.
Well, if he's fine, no need for me to worry.
Back in the cabin, Catherine lay beside the sprawled Yaong on the bed. Her first-day impression of the luxury liner cruise: Lots of weirdos.
The creepy priest, the cultist on about origins, Percival the freak, and now knights without honor.
"The world outside is dangerous."
At least Chezare made this possible. Grateful for another day with him, she spent the evening leisurely in the cabin.
When did I fall asleep?
Catherine blinked. Where was this? Last she remembered, drifting off in the dark cabin. Yet here she was, somewhere else.
Huh?
She floated slowly through pitch-black ocean depths, currents carrying her like a river of stars. The strange, novel sensations weren't unpleasant. She knew instantly: this was a dream.
……Chezare?
There he was, not far off. But his form was…… odd. No, extremely odd. Not the handsome human she knew, but a majestic "something" of seawater. Too vast to take in, the flow drew her along.
She arrived in a stunning space where giant coral reefs sparkled rainbow hues. A white dolphin swam up. Strangely, she knew it was Chezare.
This is a dream, right? I'm dreaming this?
Quick on the uptake. The magic nullification, perhaps.
So amazing. She reached out, stroking the dolphin's sleek skin. The dolphin—no, Chezare—accepted her touch and continued.
I used magic to pull you into my dream briefly.
Why? Instead of meeting in reality.
Because you went in and fell asleep first.
Fell asleep, so meet in dreams? Magic's wonders anew.
I called it a dream, but technically…… this is reality too. I brought you to these deep, distant seas. No one can eavesdrop.
Couldn't grasp the full meaning, but this was a real ocean. All she saw was glowing coral and the white dolphin.
Why this form?
Comfortable here. Haven't you noticed you're the same?
Startled, she raised her hands.
Huh?
Why no arms? Legs wouldn't move—no, no legs…… a subtle, very subtle sensation…….
Hate dolphins? I can change if it's off-putting.
No…… It's cute.
Never dreamed she'd be a dolphin. No wonder swimming felt natural, like she'd done it forever. Resting her fins on the coral, Chezare spoke.
Just checking if you used the royal pendant I lent well.
Rumors reached him already? Social circles spread fast.
Demian was getting crap, so I got mad. Some knights treated him like a squad reject.
Demian was a reject. But it irked her that others treated him that way.
Sir Demian is quite infamous in the capital.
Hmm. Not that bad, right?
If that troubled us, Leviathan's pride would suffer.
Grrr. Water splashed above, the sea heaving. The coral recoiled. Frightened by Chezare's true name.
Demons have pride too?
Didn't they teach demonology? Demons pursue power and pleasure. Pride's part of power.
Then for Chezare's pride, we should punish those knights who bullied Demian.
Chezare nodded lightly, as if to say spill it.
Two things my house lacks: a cook and a guard knight. Roze handles cooking fine, but the state of the place screams for a guard.
If that's what you want.
As expected. Lately, Chezare never refused her requests or wealth. Seeing him approve anything made her fear her future self a bit. Backed by his power, she'd turn into a reckless tyrant.
That why you called me?
No. Meant to teach you magic. Since you showed interest.